Identity-recognition-based promotions using virtual containers

ABSTRACT

An approach to facilitating identity-recognition-based promotions using virtual containers is provided. A first virtual container may be associated with a first virtual item set and identified by a first container identifier. Container instances of the first virtual container that are purchased through a store interface during a first time period may be configured to be activated by users in a game space to obtain item instances of virtual items of the first virtual item set. The first virtual container may be modified to be associated with a second virtual item set and identified by the first container identifier. Container instances of the first virtual container that are purchased during a second time period may be container instances of the modified first virtual container that are configured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtain item instances of virtual items of the second virtual item set.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to identity-recognition-basedpromotions using virtual containers.

BACKGROUND

Traditional sales promotions such as discounting of prices may beutilized for virtual items to boost short-term profits associated withthe virtual items, but may cause lingering long-term effects relating toprofitability from the virtual items or perceived values of the virtualitems by users. For example, direct discounting of virtual item pricesmay provide a temporary spike in sales, and then cause a longer periodof decreased sales once the regular virtual item prices are restored.Sale of virtual containers that provide a chance to obtain a virtualitem from a set of virtual items may be one technique that can beapplied additionally or alternatively to traditional sales promotions toboost sales profits while avoiding or otherwise reducing the negativeeffects associated with traditional sales promotions. Typically, thesevirtual containers are offered on a one-time basis, and new virtualcontainers are created to replace previously offered virtual containers.However, because the new virtual containers may be unfamiliar to users,the users may be reluctant to purchase the new virtual containers,resulting in limited profits associated with sale of the new virtualcontainers. These and other drawbacks are contemplated.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a system configured tofacilitate identity-recognition-based promotions using virtualcontainers, in accordance with one or more implementations. In exemplaryimplementations, container instances of a particular virtual containerthat have previously been on sale in a game space during a first timeperiod may be placed on sale again in the game space during a secondtime period under the same identity, but with different benefits. By wayof example, during the first time period, the virtual container may beconfigured to be associated with a first virtual item set and identifiedby a first container identifier such that container instances of thevirtual container that are purchased through a store interface duringthe first time period may be configured to be activated by users in thegame space to obtain one or more item instances of virtual items of thefirst virtual item set.

During the second time period, for example, the virtual container may bemodified such that the modified virtual container may be associated witha second virtual item set and identified by the first containeridentifier such that container instances of the modified virtualcontainer that are purchased through the store interface during thesecond time period may be configured to be activated by the users in thegame space to obtain one or more item instances of virtual items of thesecond virtual item set. While the container instances of the modifiedvirtual container may provide different benefits (e.g., to incentivizeusers to purchase the virtual container, to encourage users to purchasecomplementary virtual items, etc.), the container instances may still be“recognized” by the users as container instances of the virtualcontainer prior to modification. The changes in the benefits may beadjusted systematically and/or according to a scheme to preserve a senseof familiarity of the users with the container. In this way, reluctanceby users or other issues relating to new or different virtual containersmay be reduced.

In some implementations, the system may include one or more servers. Theserver(s) may be configured to communicate with one or more clientcomputing platforms according to a client/server architecture. The usersmay access the system and/or a virtual space (e.g., a virtual world, agame space, etc.) via the client computing platforms.

The server(s) may be configured to execute one or more computer programmodules to facilitate identity-recognition-based promotions usingvirtual containers. The computer program modules may include one or moreof a game module, an item manager module, a store module, an exchangemodule, and/or other modules. In some implementations, the clientcomputing platforms may be configured to execute one or more computerprogram modules that are the same as or similar to the computer programmodules of the server(s) to facilitate identity-recognition-basedpromotions using virtual containers.

The game module may be configured to execute a game instance of a gamespace. The game module may be configured to facilitate presentation ofviews of the game space to users. The game space may be configured tofacilitate interaction of the users with the game space and/or eachother by performing operations in the game space in response to commandsreceived from the users.

The item manager module may be configured to generate virtual containersassociated with virtual item sets and identified by containeridentifiers. The generated virtual containers may include a firstvirtual container associated with a first virtual item set andidentified by a first container identifier.

The store module may be configured to present a store interface to theusers. The store interface may present offers to the users to purchasecontainer instances of the virtual containers associated with virtualitem sets and identified by container identifiers. By way of example,the store interface may present an offer to the users to purchasecontainer instances of the first virtual container. The containerinstances of the first virtual container that are purchased through thestore interface during a first time period may, for example, beconfigured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtain oneor more item instances of virtual items of the first virtual item set.

The exchange module may be configured to provide the container instancesof the first virtual container to the users that initiated requests fora container instance of the first virtual container in exchange forconsideration from the requesting users. For example, the containerinstances of the first virtual container may be provided to the usersthat purchased a container instance of the first virtual containerthrough the store interface.

The item manager module may be configured to modify the first virtualcontainer. The first virtual container may be modified such that themodified first virtual container is associated with a second virtualitem set and is identified by the first container identifier. By way ofexample, the container instance of the first virtual container that arepurchased through the store interface during a second promotion periodmay be container instances of the modified first virtual container thatare configured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtainone or more item instances of virtual items of the second virtual itemset. The second virtual item set may, for example, be different than thefirst virtual item set. In some implementations, the store module may beconfigured such that the second time period may be after the first timeperiod.

In certain implementations, the virtual items of the first virtual itemset may include a first virtual item and a second virtual item. Thefirst virtual item set may include a first amount of item instances ofthe first virtual item and a second amount of item instances of thesecond virtual item. The item manager module may be configured toassociate the first virtual container with the first virtual item set bypreloading individual ones of the container instances of the firstvirtual container with one or more item instances of the virtual itemsof the first virtual item set such that (i) a total amount of iteminstances of the first virtual item that is obtainable by the users viaactivation of the container instances of the first virtual containerthat are purchased during the first time period is the first amount and(ii) a total amount of item instances of the second virtual item that isobtainable by the users via activation of the container instances of thefirst virtual container that are purchased during the first time periodis the second amount.

In various implementations, the second virtual item set may include athird amount of item instances of the first virtual item and a fourthamount of item instances of the second virtual item. The item managermodule may be configured to associate the modified first virtualcontainer with the second virtual item set by preloading individual onesof the container instances of the modified first virtual container withone or more item instances of the virtual items of the second virtualitem set. The individual ones of the container instances of the modifiedfirst virtual container may be preloaded such that (i) a total amount ofitem instances of the first virtual item that is obtainable by the usersvia activation of the container instances of the modified first virtualcontainer is the third amount and (ii) a total amount of item instancesof the second virtual item that is obtainable by the users viaactivation of the container instances of the modified first virtualcontainer is the fourth amount. The third amount may, for example, bedifferent than the first amount. The fourth amount may be different thanthe second amount.

In some implementations, the virtual items of the second virtual itemset may include a third virtual item. Item instances of the thirdvirtual item may not be obtainable by the users via activation of thecontainer instances of the first virtual container that are purchasedduring the first time period. The second virtual item set may include athird amount of item instances of the third virtual item. The itemmanager module may be configured to associate the modified first virtualcontainer with the second virtual item set by preloading individual onesof the container instances of the modified first virtual container withone or more item instances of the virtual items of the second virtualitem set such that a total amount of item instances of the third virtualitem that is obtainable by the users via activation of the containerinstances of the modified first virtual container is the third amount.

In certain implementations, the item manager module may be configured toassociate the first virtual container with the first virtual item set byassociating the first virtual container with (i) a first probabilitythat a container instance of the first virtual container will provideone or more item instances of the first virtual item upon activation and(ii) a second probability that a container instance of the first virtualcontainer will provide one or more item instances of the second virtualitem upon activation. For example, the exchange module may be configuredsuch that, responsive to activation of one of the container instances ofthe first virtual container that is purchased during the first timeperiod, a user is provided with one or more item instances of thevirtual items of the first virtual item set in accordance with the firstprobability and the second probability.

In various implementations, the virtual items of the second virtual itemset may include the first virtual item and the second virtual item. Theitem manager module may be configured to associate the modified firstvirtual container with the second virtual item set by associating themodified first virtual container with (i) a third probability that acontainer instance of the modified first virtual container will provideone or more item instances of the first virtual item upon activation and(ii) a fourth probability that a container instance of the modifiedfirst virtual container will provide one or more item instances of thesecond virtual item upon activation. For example, the exchange modulemay be configured such that, responsive to activation of one of thecontainer instances of the modified first virtual container, a user isprovided with one or more item instances of the virtual items of thesecond virtual item set in accordance with the third probability and thefourth probability. The third probability may, for example, be differentthan the first probability. The fourth probability may be different thanthe second probability.

In some implementations, the virtual items of the second virtual itemset may include a third virtual item. Item instances of the thirdvirtual item may not be obtainable by the users via activation of thecontainer instances of the first virtual container that are purchasedduring the first time period. The item manager module may be configuredto associate the modified first virtual container with the secondvirtual item set by associating the modified first virtual containerwith a third probability that a container instance of the modified firstvirtual container will provide one or more item instances of the thirdvirtual item upon activation such that, responsive to activation of oneof the container instances of the modified first virtual container, auser is provided with one or more item instances of the virtual items ofthe second virtual item set in accordance with the third probability.

In certain implementations, the item manager module may be configured toassociate the virtual containers with real-world brands or in-spacebrands of the game space. The real-world brands may include a firstreal-world brand or other real-world brands. The in-space brands mayinclude a first in-space brand or other in-space brands. By way ofexample, the item manager module may be configured to associate thefirst virtual container and the modified first virtual container withthe first real-world brand or the first in-space brand.

These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system configured to facilitateidentity-recognition-based promotions using virtual containers, inaccordance with one or more implementations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a store interface that presents offers to users topurchase container instances of virtual containers along withdescriptions associated with the virtual containers, in accordance withone or more implementations.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a user interface that depicts promotionalnotifications relating to a modified virtual container, in accordancewith one or more implementations.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for facilitating identity-recognition-basedpromotions using virtual containers, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 configured to facilitateidentity-recognition-based promotions using virtual containers, inaccordance with one or more implementations. In exemplaryimplementations, container instances of a particular virtual containerthat have previously been on sale in a game space during a first timeperiod may be placed on sale again in the game space during a secondtime period under the same identity, but with different benefits. By wayof example, during the first time period, the virtual container may beconfigured to be associated with a first virtual item set and identifiedby a first container identifier such that container instances of thevirtual container that are purchased through a store interface duringthe first time period may be configured to be activated by users in thegame space to obtain one or more item instances of virtual items of thefirst virtual item set. In one scenario, container instances of thevirtual container may be placed on sale again in the game space at alater point in time, for example, responsive to a determination that theusers enjoyed the container instances of the virtual container that arepurchased during the first time period, a determination that thecontainer instances of the virtual container sold well during the firsttime period, etc., to take advantage of success associated with theparticular virtual container.

For example, during the second time period, the virtual container may bemodified such that the modified virtual container may be associated witha second virtual item set and identified by the first containeridentifier such that container instances of the modified virtualcontainer that are purchased through the store interface during thesecond time period may be configured to be activated by the users in thegame space to obtain one or more item instances of virtual items of thesecond virtual item set. While the container instances of the modifiedvirtual container may provide different benefits (e.g., to incentivizeusers to purchase the virtual container, to encourage users to purchasecomplementary virtual items, etc.), the container instances may still be“recognized” by the users as container instances of the virtualcontainer prior to modification. The changes in the benefits may beadjusted systematically and/or according to a scheme to preserve a senseof familiarity of the users with the virtual container. In this way,reluctance by users or other issues relating to new or different virtualcontainers may be reduced.

In some implementations, system 100 may include one or more servers 102.Server(s) 102 may be configured to communicate with one or more clientcomputing platforms 104 according to a client/server architecture. Theusers may access system 100 and/or a virtual space (e.g., a virtualworld, a game space, etc.) via client computing platforms 104.

Server(s) 102 may be configured to execute one or more computer programmodules to facilitate identity-recognition-based promotions usingvirtual containers. The computer program modules may include one or moreof a game module 106, an item manager module 108, a store module 110, anexchange module 112, and/or other modules. In some implementations,client computing platforms 104 may be configured to execute one or morecomputer program modules that are the same as or similar to the computerprogram modules of server(s) 102 to facilitateidentity-recognition-based promotions using virtual containers.

Game module 106 may be configured to execute a game instance of a gamespace. In some implementations, the game space may be a virtual space.As such, a game instance of the game space may be an instance of thevirtual space. A space module (not shown for illustrative convenience)may be configured to implement the instance of the virtual spaceexecuted by the computer modules to determine state of the virtualspace. The state may then be communicated (e.g., via streaming visualdata, via object/position data, and/or other state information) fromserver(s) 102 to client computing platforms 104 for presentation tousers. The state determined and transmitted to a given client computingplatform 104 may correspond to a view for a user character beingcontrolled by a user via the given client computing platform 104. Thestate determined and transmitted to a given client computing platform104 may correspond to a location in the virtual space. The viewdescribed by the state for the given client computing platform maycorrespond, for example, to the location from which the view is taken,the location the view depicts, and/or other locations, a zoom ratio, adimensionality of objects, a point-of-view, and/or view parameters ofthe view. One or more of the view parameters may be selectable by theuser.

The instance of the virtual space may comprise a simulated space that isaccessible by users via clients (e.g., client computing platforms 104)that present the views of the virtual space to a user. The simulatedspace may have a topography, express ongoing real-time interaction byone or more users, and/or include one or more objects positioned withinthe topography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. Insome instances, the topography may be a 2-dimensional topography. Inother instances, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. Thetopography may include dimensions of the space, and/or surface featuresof a surface or objects that are “native” to the space. In someinstances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a groundsurface) that runs through at least a substantial portion of the space.In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with one or morebodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation of gravity-deprived spacewith one or more celestial bodies positioned therein). The instanceexecuted by the computer modules may be synchronous, asynchronous,and/or semi-synchronous.

The above description of the manner in which state of the virtual spaceis determined by the space module is not intended to be limiting. Thespace module may be configured to express the virtual space in a morelimited, or more rich, manner. For example, views determined for thevirtual space representing the state of the instance of the virtualspace may be selected from a limited set of graphics depicting an eventin a given place within the virtual space. The views may includeadditional content (e.g., text, audio, pre-stored video content, and/orother content) that describes particulars of the current state of theplace, beyond the relatively generic graphics. For example, a view mayinclude a generic battle graphic with a textual description of theopponents to be confronted. Other expressions of individual placeswithin the virtual space are contemplated.

Within the instance(s) of the virtual space executed by the spacemodule, users may control characters, objects, simulated physicalphenomena (e.g., wind, rain, earthquakes, and/or other phenomena),and/or other elements within the virtual space to interact with thevirtual space and/or each other. The user characters may includeavatars. As used herein, the term “user character” may refer to anobject (or group of objects) present in the virtual space thatrepresents an individual user. The user character may be controlled bythe user with which it is associated. The user controlled element(s) maymove through and interact with the virtual space (e.g., non-usercharacters in the virtual space, other objects in the virtual space).The user controlled elements controlled by and/or associated with agiven user may be created and/or customized by the given user. The usermay have an “inventory” of virtual goods and/or currency that the usercan use (e.g., by manipulation of a user character or other usercontrolled element, and/or other items) within the virtual space. Insome implementations, the “inventory” of virtual goods may includevirtual containers. As an example, virtual containers may include boxes,chests, bundles, packages, or other items that at least “appear” tostore or contain one or more other virtual items.

The users may participate in the instance of the virtual space bycontrolling one or more of the available user controlled elements in thevirtual space. Control may be exercised through control inputs and/orcommands input by the users through client computing platforms 104. Theusers may interact with each other through communications exchangedwithin the virtual space. Such communications may include one or more oftextual chat, instant messages, private messages, voice communications,and/or other communications. Communications may be received and enteredby the users via their respective client computing platforms 104.Communications may be routed to and from the appropriate users throughserver(s) 102 (e.g., through the space module).

Item manager module 108 may be configured to generate virtual containersassociated with virtual item sets and identified by containeridentifiers. The generated virtual containers may include a firstvirtual container associated with a first virtual item set andidentified by a first container identifier.

Store module 110 may be configured to present a store interface to theusers. The store interface may present offers to the users to purchasecontainer instances of the virtual containers associated with virtualitem sets and identified by container identifiers. By way of example,the store interface may present an offer to the users to purchasecontainer instances of the first virtual container. The containerinstances of the first virtual container that are purchased through thestore interface during a first time period may, for example, beconfigured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtain oneor more item instances of virtual items of the first virtual item set.

For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a store interface 200 that presentsoffers to users to purchase container instances of virtual containers202, 204, and 206 along with descriptions 208, 210, and 212 associatedwith virtual containers 202, 204, and 206, in accordance with one ormore implementations. In one use case, store interface 200 may beaccessible by users of a game space. Store interface 200 may, forexample, allow users to browse virtual items in a virtual store, readdescriptions of the virtual items, determine prices of the virtualitems, purchase the virtual items, or utilize other store features. Asdepicted, the virtual items of the virtual store that is accessed viastore interface 200 may include virtual containers, such as NatureMystery Box 202, Crystal Mystery Box 204, Emerald Mystery Box 206, orother virtual containers. Nature Mystery Box 202 may be identified bythe container name “Nature Mystery Box.” Crystal Mystery Box 204 may beidentified by the container name “Crystal Mystery Box.” Emerald MysteryBox 206 may be identified by the container name “Emerald Mystery Box.”

Exchange module 112 may be configured to provide the container instancesof the first virtual container to the users that initiated requests fora container instance of the first virtual container in exchange forconsideration from the requesting users. For example, the containerinstances of the first virtual container may be provided to the usersthat purchased a container instance of the first virtual containerthrough the store interface. With respect to FIG. 2 , for example,exchange module 112 may provide a container instance of Crystal MysteryBox 204 to a user that purchased a container instance of Crystal MysteryBox 204 by adding a container instance of Crystal Mystery Box 204 tothat user's “inventory” of virtual goods.

Item manager module 108 may be configured to modify the first virtualcontainer. The first virtual container may be modified such that themodified first virtual container is associated with a second virtualitem set and is identified by the first container identifier. By way ofexample, the container instance of the first virtual container that arepurchased through the store interface during a second promotion periodmay be container instances of the modified first virtual container thatare configured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtainone or more item instances of virtual items of the second virtual itemset. The second virtual item set may, for example, be different than thefirst virtual item set. In some implementations, store module 110 may beconfigured such that the second time period may be after the first timeperiod.

For example, FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a user interface 300 thatdepicts promotional notification 302 and 304 relating to a modifiedvirtual container, in accordance with one or more implementations. Inone use case, with respect to FIG. 3A, notification 302 indicates tousers that “Crystal Mystery Boxes are back” and that the containerinstances of the Crystal Mystery Boxes that are currently available forpurchase (e.g., during the current promotion period) are improved fromthe container instances of the Crystal Mystery Boxes that werepreviously sold. As an example, the previously sold container instancesmay have been a success. Such success may be related to high profitsfrom sales of previously sold container instances, high profits fromsales of complementary virtual items that are linked to sales ofpreviously sold container instances, high user activity in the gamespace that is associated with the previously sold container instances,etc. The currently available container instances of the Crystal MysteryBox may, for example, be offered for sale to emulate such success bytaking advantage of the perceived value that users of the game spacealready have of the previously sold and successful container instances,the comfort that previous purchasing users have with purchasingcontainer instances of the Crystal Mystery Box, or other positiveattributes that users may associate with the Crystal Mystery Box.

In another user case, still referring to FIG. 3A, a previously soldcontainer instance of the Crystal Mystery Box and a currently availablecontainer instance of the Crystal Mystery Box may both provide an iteminstance of one of the same five virtual items upon activation (e.g.,Virtual Item 3, Virtual Item 4, Virtual Item 5, Virtual Item 6, orVirtual Item 7). However, as indicated by notification 302, a containerinstance of the Crystal Mystery Box that is purchased during the currentpromotion period is more likely to provide an item instance of VirtualItems 6 or 7 upon activation than a container instance of the CrystalMystery Box that was previously sold. Virtual Items 6 or 7 may, forexample, be more valuable in the game space than the other virtual itemsof which item instances may be obtainable via activation of a containerinstance of the Crystal Mystery Box. As such, the currently availablecontainer instances of the Crystal Mystery Box may be perceived as morevaluable than the previously sold container instances.

In certain implementations, the virtual items of the first virtual itemset may include a first virtual item and a second virtual item. Thefirst virtual item set may include a first amount of item instances ofthe first virtual item and a second amount of item instances of thesecond virtual item. Item manager module 108 may be configured toassociate the first virtual container with the first virtual item set bypreloading individual ones of the container instances of the firstvirtual container with one or more item instances of the virtual itemsof the first virtual item set. The individual ones of the containerinstances of the first virtual container may be preloaded such that (i)a total amount of item instances of the first virtual item that isobtainable by the users via activation of the container instances of thefirst virtual container that are purchased during the first time periodis the first amount and (ii) a total amount of item instances of thesecond virtual item that is obtainable by the users via activation ofthe container instances of the first virtual container that arepurchased during the first time period is the second amount.

Referring to FIG. 2 , for example, Crystal Mystery Box 204 may beassociated with the first virtual item set and identified by the firstcontainer identifier (e.g., the container name “Crystal Mystery Box”).In one use case, the first virtual item set may be predetermined toinclude equal amounts of item instances of each of the Virtual Items3-7. Individual ones of container instances of Crystal Mystery Box 204may be preloaded with an item instance of one of Virtual Items 3-7 suchthat the total amount of item instances of each of the Virtual Items 3-7that can be obtained via activation of the container instances ofCrystal Mystery Box 204 that are purchased during the first time periodmay be the predetermined equal amounts. As an example, if the firstvirtual item set is predetermined to include 10 item instances of eachof the Virtual Items 3-7, and 50 of the container instances arepurchased during the first time period, 10 item instances of each of theVirtual Items 3-7 may be obtained by the users as a whole when all ofthe container instances purchased during the first time period areactivated.

In another use case, still referring to FIG. 2 , the first virtual itemset may be a dynamic virtual item set. For example, individual ones ofthe container instances of Crystal Mystery Box 204 may be randomlypreloaded with an item instance of one of the Virtual Items 3-7 inaccordance with probabilities associated with each of the Virtual Items3-7 when the individual container instances are purchased by the usersduring the first time period. If, for example, the probability of eachof the Virtual Items 3-7 of being selected for preloading of a containerinstance is 20%, and 50 of the container instances are purchased duringthe first time period, it is likely that about 10 item instances of eachof the Virtual Items 3-7 may be obtained by the users as a whole whenall of the container instances purchased during the first time periodare activated.

As indicated, in various implementations, the first virtual item set mayinclude the first amount of item instances of the first virtual item andthe second amount of item instances of the second virtual item. Thesecond virtual item set may include a third amount of item instances ofthe first virtual item and a fourth amount of item instances of thesecond virtual item. Item manager module 108 may be configured toassociate the modified first virtual container with the second virtualitem set by preloading individual ones of the container instances of themodified first virtual container with one or more item instances of thevirtual items of the second virtual item set. The individual ones of thecontainer instances of the modified first virtual container may bepreloaded such that (i) a total amount of item instances of the firstvirtual item that is obtainable by the users via activation of thecontainer instances of the modified first virtual container is the thirdamount and (ii) a total amount of item instances of the second virtualitem that is obtainable by the users via activation of the containerinstances of the modified first virtual container is the fourth amount.The third amount may, for example, be different than the first amount.The fourth amount may be different than the second amount.

In one scenario, with respect to FIG. 2 , the first virtual item set mayinclude item instances that are randomly selected for preloading ofindividual ones of the first-time-period container instances of theCrystal Mystery Box (e.g., Crystal Mystery Box 204) in accordance withfirst-time-period probabilities associated with each of the VirtualItems 3-7 when the individual container instances are purchased by theusers during the first time period. In another scenario, with respect toFIG. 3A, the second virtual item set may include item instances that arerandomly selected for preloading of individual ones of thesecond-time-period container instances of the Crystal Mystery Box (e.g.,the “improved” Crystal Mystery Box) in accordance withsecond-time-period probabilities associated with each of the VirtualItems 3-7 when the individual container instances are purchased by theusers during the second time period.

As indicated by notification 302, the second-time-period probabilitiesof each of Virtual Items 6 and 7 are respectively greater than thefirst-time-period probabilities of each of Virtual Items 6 and 7. Assuch, if 50 of the container instances of the Crystal Mystery Box arepurchased during the first time period, and 50 of the containerinstances of the Crystal Mystery Box are purchased during the secondtime period, it is likely that more item instances of Virtual Items 6 or7 will be obtained by the users as a whole via activation of all of thecontainer instances purchased during the second time period than viaactivation of all of the container instances purchased during the firsttime period.

As indicated, in some implementations, the virtual items of the firstvirtual item set may include the first virtual item and the secondvirtual item. The virtual items of the second virtual item set mayinclude a third virtual item. Item instances of the third virtual itemmay not be obtainable by the users via activation of the containerinstances of the first virtual container that are purchased during thefirst time period. The second virtual item set may include a thirdamount of item instances of the third virtual item. Item manager module108 may be configured to associate the modified first virtual containerwith the second virtual item set by preloading individual ones of thecontainer instances of the modified first virtual container with one ormore item instances of the virtual items of the second virtual item set.The individual ones of the container instances of the modified firstvirtual container may be preloaded such that a total amount of iteminstances of the third virtual item that is obtainable by the users viaactivation of the container instances of the modified first virtualcontainer is the third amount.

In one scenario, with respect to FIG. 2 , the first virtual item set mayinclude item instances that are randomly selected for preloading ofindividual ones of the first-time-period container instances of theCrystal Mystery Box (e.g., Crystal Mystery Box 204) in accordance withfirst-time-period probabilities associated with each of the VirtualItems 3-7 when the individual container instances are purchased by theusers during the first time period. In another scenario, with respect toFIG. 3B, the second virtual item set may include item instances that arerandomly selected for preloading of individual ones of thesecond-time-period container instances of the Crystal Mystery Box (e.g.,the “improved” Crystal Mystery Box) in accordance withsecond-time-period probabilities associated with each of the VirtualItems 3-7 and 10 when the individual container instances are purchasedby the users during the second time period. As indicated by notification304, an item instance of Virtual Item 10 is one of the item instancesthat may be obtained via activation of the container instances purchasedduring the second time period, while item instances of Virtual Item 10are not one of the item instances that may be obtained via activation ofthe container instances purchased during the first time period.

As indicated, in certain implementations, the virtual items of the firstvirtual item set may include the first virtual item and the secondvirtual item. In one or more implementations, item manager module 108may be configured to associate the first virtual container with thefirst virtual item set by associating the first virtual container with(i) a first probability that a container instance of the first virtualcontainer will provide one or more item instances of the first virtualitem upon activation and (ii) a second probability that a containerinstance of the first virtual container will provide one or more iteminstances of the second virtual item upon activation. For example,exchange module 112 may be configured such that, responsive toactivation of one of the container instances of the first virtualcontainer that is purchased during the first time period, a user isprovided with one or more item instances of the virtual items of thefirst virtual item set in accordance with the first probability and thesecond probability.

As discussed, in one use case with respect to FIG. 2 , Crystal MysteryBox 204 may be associated with the first virtual item set and identifiedby the first container identifier (e.g., the container name “CrystalMystery Box”). For example, association of Crystal Mystery Box 204 withthe first virtual item set may include associating Crystal Mystery Box204 with probabilities for each of Virtual Items 3-7 that a containerinstance of Crystal Mystery Box 204 will provide an item instance of thevirtual item upon activation. If, for example, the probabilities foreach of Virtual Items 3-7 that a container instance will provide an iteminstances of the virtual item is 20% upon activation, then eachactivation of a container instance of Crystal Mystery Box 204 that ispurchased during the first time period may provide a user an equalprobability of obtaining an item instance of any one of Virtual Items3-7.

In various implementations, the virtual items of the second virtual itemset may include the first virtual item and the second virtual item. Itemmanager module 108 may be configured to associate the modified firstvirtual container with the second virtual item set by associating themodified first virtual container with (i) a third probability that acontainer instance of the modified first virtual container will provideone or more item instances of the first virtual item upon activation and(ii) a fourth probability that a container instance of the modifiedfirst virtual container will provide one or more item instances of thesecond virtual item upon activation. For example, exchange module 112may be configured such that, responsive to activation of one of thecontainer instances of the modified first virtual container, a user isprovided with one or more item instances of the virtual items of thesecond virtual item set in accordance with the third probability and thefourth probability. The third probability may, for example, be differentthan the first probability. The fourth probability may be different thanthe second probability.

In one scenario, with respect to FIG. 2 , association of the CrystalMystery Box (e.g., Crystal Mystery Box 204) with the first virtual itemset may include associating the Crystal Mystery Box withfirst-time-period probabilities for each of Virtual Items 3-7 that acontainer instance of Crystal Mystery Box 204 will provide an iteminstance of the virtual item upon activation. In another scenario, withrespect to FIG. 3A, association of the Crystal Mystery Box (e.g., the“improved” Crystal Mystery Box) with the second virtual item set mayinclude associating the Crystal Mystery Box with second-time-periodprobabilities for each of Virtual Items 3-7 that a container instance ofthe Crystal Mystery Box will provide an item instance of the virtualitem upon activation.

As indicated by notification 302, the second-time-period probabilitiesof each of Virtual Items 6 and 7 being provided to a user uponactivation of a container instance of the Crystal Mystery Box arerespectively greater than the first-time-period probabilities of each ofVirtual Items 6 and 7 being provided to a user upon activation of acontainer instance of the Crystal Mystery Box. As such, it is morelikely that a user will obtain an item instance of Virtual Items 6 or 7via activation of a container instance of the Crystal Mystery Box thatis purchased during the second time period than via activation of acontainer instance of the Crystal Mystery Box that is purchased duringthe first time period.

In some implementations, the virtual items of the second virtual itemset may include a third virtual item. Item instances of the thirdvirtual item may not be obtainable by the users via activation of thecontainer instances of the first virtual container that are purchasedduring the first time period. Item manager module 108 may be configuredto associate the modified first virtual container with the secondvirtual item set by associating the modified first virtual containerwith a third probability that a container instance of the modified firstvirtual container will provide one or more item instances of the thirdvirtual item upon activation such that, responsive to activation of oneof the container instances of the modified first virtual container, auser is provided with one or more item instances of the virtual items ofthe second virtual item set in accordance with the third probability.

In one scenario, with respect to FIG. 2 , association of the CrystalMystery Box (e.g., Crystal Mystery Box 204) with the first virtual itemset may include associating the Crystal Mystery Box withfirst-time-period probabilities for each of Virtual Items 3-7 that acontainer instance of Crystal Mystery Box 204 will provide an iteminstance of the virtual item upon activation. In another scenario, withrespect to FIG. 3A, association of the Crystal Mystery Box (e.g., the“improved” Crystal Mystery Box) with the second virtual item set mayinclude associating the Crystal Mystery Box with second-time-periodprobabilities for each of Virtual Items 3-7 and 10 that a containerinstance of the Crystal Mystery Box will provide an item instance of thevirtual item upon activation. As indicated by notification 304, an iteminstance of Virtual Item 10 is one of the item instances that may beobtained via activation of the container instances purchased during thesecond time period, while item instances of Virtual Item 10 are not oneof the item instances that may be obtained via activation of thecontainer instances purchased during the first time period.

In certain implementations, item manager module 108 may be configured toassociate the virtual containers with real-world brands or in-spacebrands of the game space. The real-world brands may include a firstreal-world brand or other real-world brands. The in-space brands mayinclude a first in-space brand or other in-space brands. By way ofexample, item manager module 108 may be configured to associate thefirst virtual container and the modified first virtual container withthe first real-world brand or the first in-space brand.

In one use case, with respect to FIG. 3A, container instances of theCrystal Mystery Box that were previously sold during the first timeperiod and container instances of the Crystal Mystery Box that arecurrently available for purchase during the second time period mayreflect an association with an in-space brand. By way of example, aplurality of in-space brands may recognized in a game space in which thecontainer instances of the Crystal Mystery Box are activated. Thein-space brands that are officially recognized in the game space mayinclude “Brand X,” “Brand Y,” and “Brand Z.” Each of the containerinstances of the Crystal Mystery Box may, for example, reflect anassociation with “Brand X,” regardless of whether the container instanceis purchased during the first time period or the second time period. Inthis way, if “Brand X” is a reputable brand in the game space that isknown to provide virtual containers with better odds of obtaininghigh-value virtual items or other sought-after in-space benefits, usersmay believe that container instances of the Crystal Mystery Box havethose better odds or other sought-after in-space benefits.

Server(s) 102, client computing platforms 104, external resources 114,and/or other components may be operatively linked via one or moreelectronic communication links. For example, such electroniccommunication links may be established, at least in part, via a networksuch as the Internet and/or other networks. It will be appreciated thatthis is not intended to be limiting, and that the scope of thisdisclosure includes implementations in which server(s) 102, clientcomputing platforms 104, external resources 114, and/or other componentsmay be operatively linked via some other communication media.

A given client computing platform 104 may include one or more processorsconfigured to execute computer program modules. The computer programmodules may be configured to enable an expert or user associated withclient computing platform 104 to interface with system 100 and/orexternal resources 114, and/or provide other functionality attributedherein to client computing platforms 104. By way of non-limitingexample, client computing platform 104 may include one or more of adesktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a netbook, asmartphone, a gaming console, and/or other computing platforms.

External resources 114 may include sources of information, hosts and/orproviders of virtual spaces outside of system 100, external entitiesparticipating with system 100, and/or other resources. In someimplementations, some or all of the functionality attributed herein toexternal resources 114 may be provided by resources included in system100.

In some implementations, server(s) 102 may include an electronic storage116, one or more processor(s) 118, and/or other components. Server(s)102 may include communication lines, or ports to enable the exchange ofinformation with a network and/or other computing platforms.Illustration of server(s) 102 in FIG. 1 is not intended to be limiting.Server(s) 102 may include a plurality of hardware, software, and/orfirmware components operating together to provide the functionalityattributed herein to server(s) 102. For example, server(s) 102 may beimplemented by a cloud of computing platforms operating together asserver(s) 102.

Electronic storage 116 may comprise non-transitory storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronic storage media ofelectronic storage 116 may include one or both of system storage that isprovided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with server(s)102 and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to server(s)102 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.)or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage 116 mayinclude one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., opticaldisks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape,magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-basedstorage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media(e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storagemedia. Electronic storage 116 may include one or more virtual storageresources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual private network, and/or othervirtual storage resources). Electronic storage 116 may store softwarealgorithms, information determined by processor(s) 118, informationreceived from server(s) 102, information received from client computingplatforms 104, and/or other information that enables server(s) 102 tofunction as described herein.

Processor(s) 118 is configured to provide information processingcapabilities in server(s) 102. As such, processor(s) 118 may include oneor more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuitdesigned to process information, an analog circuit designed to processinformation, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronicallyprocessing information. Although processor(s) 118 is shown in FIG. 1 asa single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In someimplementations, processor(s) 118 may include a plurality of processingunits. These processing units may be physically located within the samedevice, or processor(s) 118 may represent processing functionality of aplurality of devices operating in coordination. Processor(s) 118 may beconfigured to execute modules 106, 108, 110, 112, and/or other modules.Processor(s) 118 may be configured to execute modules 106, 108, 110,112, and/or other modules by software; hardware; firmware; somecombination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or othermechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on processor(s) 118.As noted, in certain implementations, a given client computing platform104 may include one or more computer program modules that is the same asor similar to the computer program modules of server(s) 102. Clientcomputing platform 104 may include one or more processors that are thesame or similar to processor(s) 118 of server(s) 102 to execute suchcomputer program modules of client computing platform 104.

It should be appreciated that although modules 106, 108, 110, and 112are illustrated in FIG. 1 as being co-located within a single processingunit, in implementations in which processor(s) 118 includes multipleprocessing units, one or more of modules 106, 108, 110, and/or 112 maybe located remotely from the other modules. The description of thefunctionality provided by the different modules 106, 108, 110, and/or112 described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended tobe limiting, as any of modules 106, 108, 110, and/or 112 may providemore or less functionality than is described. For example, one or moreof modules 106, 108, 110, and/or 112 may be eliminated, and some or allof its functionality may be provided by other ones of modules 106, 108,110, and/or 112. As another example, processor(s) 118 may be configuredto execute one or more additional modules that may perform some or allof the functionality attributed below to one of modules 106, 108, 110,and/or 112.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for facilitating identity-recognition-basedpromotions using virtual containers, in accordance with one or moreimplementations. The operations of method 400 presented below areintended to be illustrative. In some implementations, method 400 may beaccomplished with one or more additional operations not described,and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally,the order in which the operations of method 400 are illustrated in FIG.4 and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some implementations, method 400 may be implemented in one or moreprocessing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices executing some or allof the operations of method 400 in response to instructions storedelectronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices configured throughhardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed forexecution of one or more of the operations of method 400.

At an operation 402, a game instance of a game space may be executed.Operation 402 may be performed by a game module that is the same as orsimilar to game module 106, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

At an operation 404, presentation of views of the game space to usersmay be facilitated. The game space may be configured to facilitateinteraction of the users with the game space and/or each other byperforming operations in the game space in response to commands receivedfrom the users. Operation 404 may be performed by a game module that isthe same as or similar to game module 106, in accordance with one ormore implementations.

At an operation 406, virtual containers associated with virtual itemsets and identified by container identifiers may be generated. Thegenerated virtual containers may include a first virtual containerassociated with a first virtual item set and identified by a firstcontainer identifier. Operation 406 may be performed by an item managermodule that is the same as or similar to item manager module 108, inaccordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation 408, a store interface may be presented. The storeinterface may present offers to the users to purchase containerinstances of virtual containers associated with virtual item sets andidentified by container identifiers. The virtual containers may includea first virtual container associated with a first virtual item set andidentified by a first container identifier. For example, the storeinterface may present an offer to the users to purchase containerinstances of the first virtual container such that container instancesof the first virtual container that are purchased through the storeinterface during a first time period may be configured to be activatedby the users in the game space to obtain one or more item instances ofvirtual items of the first virtual item set. Operation 408 may beperformed by a store module that is the same as or similar to storemodule 110, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation 410, the container instances of the first virtualcontainer that are configured to be activated by the users in the gamespace to obtain one or more item instances of virtual items of the firstvirtual item set may be provided to the users that purchased a containerinstance of the first virtual container during the first time period.Operation 410 may be performed by an exchange module that is the same asor similar to exchange module 112, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

At an operation 412, the first virtual container may be modified suchthat the modified first virtual container is associated with a secondvirtual item set and is identified by the first container identifier.For example, container instances of the modified first virtual containermay be configured to be activated by the users in the game space toobtain one or more item instances of virtual items of the second virtualitem set. Operation 412 may be performed by an item manager module thatis the same as or similar to item manager module 108, in accordance withone or more implementations.

At an operation 414, container instances of the modified first virtualcontainer that are configured to be activated by the users in the gamespace to obtain one or more item instances of virtual items of thesecond virtual item set may be provided to the users that purchased acontainer instance of the first virtual container during the second timeperiod. For example, the container instances of the first virtualcontainer that are purchased during the second time period may be thecontainer instances of the modified first virtual container. Operation414 may be performed by an exchange module that is the same as orsimilar to exchange module 112, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

In certain implementations, with respect to operations 406, 408, and410, the virtual items of the first virtual item set may include a firstvirtual item and a second virtual item. The first virtual item set mayinclude a first amount of item instances of the first virtual item and asecond amount of item instances of the second virtual item. In one ormore implementations, the first virtual container may be associated withthe first virtual item set by preloading individual ones of thecontainer instances of the first virtual container with one or more iteminstances of the virtual items of the first virtual item set. Theindividual ones of the container instances of the first virtualcontainer may be preloaded such that (i) a total amount of iteminstances of the first virtual item that is obtainable by the users viaactivation of the container instances of the first virtual containerthat are purchased during the first time period is the first amount and(ii) a total amount of item instances of the second virtual item that isobtainable by the users via activation of the container instances of thefirst virtual container that are purchased during the first time periodis the second amount. The association of the first virtual containerwith the first virtual item set may be performed by an item managermodule that is the same as or similar to item manager module 108, inaccordance with one or more implementations.

In various implementations, with respect to operations 412 and 414, thesecond virtual item set may include a third amount of item instances ofthe first virtual item and a fourth amount of item instances of thesecond virtual item. In one or more implementations, the modified firstvirtual container may be associated with the second virtual item set bypreloading individual ones of the container instances of the modifiedfirst virtual container with one or more item instances of the virtualitems of the second virtual item set. The individual ones of thecontainer instances of the modified first virtual container may bepreloaded such that (i) a total amount of item instances of the firstvirtual item that is obtainable by the users via activation of thecontainer instances of the modified first virtual container is the thirdamount and (ii) a total amount of item instances of the second virtualitem that is obtainable by the users via activation of the containerinstances of the modified first virtual container is the fourth amount.The third amount may, for example, be different than the first amount.The fourth amount may be different than the second amount. Theassociation of the modified first virtual container with the secondvirtual item set may be performed by an item manager module that is thesame as or similar to item manager module 108, in accordance with one ormore implementations.

In some implementations, with respect to operations 412 and 414, thevirtual items of the second virtual item set may include a third virtualitem. Item instances of the third virtual item may not be obtainable bythe users via activation of the container instances of the first virtualcontainer that are purchased during the first time period. The secondvirtual item set may include a third amount of item instances of thethird virtual item. In one or more implementations, the modified firstvirtual container may be associated with the second virtual item set bypreloading individual ones of the container instances of the modifiedfirst virtual container with one or more item instances of the virtualitems of the second virtual item set. The individual ones of thecontainer instances of the modified first virtual container may bepreloaded such that a total amount of item instances of the thirdvirtual item that is obtainable by the users via activation of thecontainer instances of the modified first virtual container is the thirdamount. The association of the modified first virtual container with thesecond virtual item set may be performed by an item manager module thatis the same as or similar to item manager module 108, in accordance withone or more implementations.

In certain implementations, with respect to operations 406, 408, and410, the virtual items of the first virtual item set may include a firstvirtual item and a second virtual item. In one or more implementations,the first virtual container may be associated with the first virtualitem set by associating the first virtual container with (i) a firstprobability that a container instance of the first virtual containerwill provide one or more item instances of the first virtual item uponactivation and (ii) a second probability that a container instance ofthe first virtual container will provide one or more item instances ofthe second virtual item upon activation. The first virtual container maybe associated with the first probability and the second probability suchthat, responsive to activation of one of the container instances of thefirst virtual container that is purchased during the first time period,a user is provided with one or more item instances of the virtual itemsof the first virtual item set in accordance with the first probabilityand the second probability. The association of the first virtualcontainer with the first virtual item set may be performed by an itemmanager module that is the same as or similar to item manager module108, in accordance with one or more implementations.

In various implementations, with respect to operations 412 and 414, thevirtual items of the second virtual item set may include the firstvirtual item and the second virtual item. In one or moreimplementations, the modified first virtual container may be associatedwith the second virtual item set by associating the modified firstvirtual container with (i) a third probability that a container instanceof the modified first virtual container will provide one or more iteminstances of the first virtual item upon activation and (ii) a fourthprobability that a container instance of the modified first virtualcontainer will provide one or more item instances of the second virtualitem upon activation. The modified first virtual container may beassociated with the third probability and the fourth probability suchthat, responsive to activation of one of the container instances of themodified first virtual container, a user is provided with one or moreitem instances of the virtual items of the second virtual item set inaccordance with the third probability and the fourth probability. Thethird probability may, for example, be different than the firstprobability. The fourth probability may be different than the secondprobability. The association of the modified first virtual containerwith the second virtual item set may be performed by an item managermodule that is the same as or similar to item manager module 108, inaccordance with one or more implementations.

In some implementations, with respect to operations 412 and 414, thevirtual items of the second virtual item set may include a third virtualitem. Item instances of the third virtual item may not be obtainable bythe users via activation of the container instances of the first virtualcontainer that are purchased during the first time period. In one ormore implementations, the modified first virtual container may beassociated with the second virtual item set by associating the modifiedfirst virtual container with a third probability that a containerinstance of the modified first virtual container will provide one ormore item instances of the third virtual item upon activation. Themodified first virtual container may be associated with the thirdprobability such that, responsive to activation of one of the containerinstances of the modified first virtual container, a user is providedwith one or more item instances of the virtual items of the secondvirtual item set in accordance with the third probability. Theassociation of the modified first virtual container with the secondvirtual item set may be performed by an item manager module that is thesame as or similar to item manager module 108, in accordance with one ormore implementations.

Although the present technology has been described in detail for thepurpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be themost practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understoodthat such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology isnot limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it isto be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to theextent possible, one or more features of any implementation can becombined with one or more features of any other implementation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for modifying virtual containers withina game, the system comprising: one or more processors configured bymachine-readable instructions to: execute a game instance of the game,and to facilitate presentation of views of the game to users, whereinthe users include a first user; effectuate provision of a firstcontainer instance of a first virtual container in the game to the firstuser, the first virtual container being identified by a first containeridentifier and associated with a first virtual item set, wherein thefirst container instance of the first virtual container will provideitem instances of virtual items in the first virtual item set to thefirst user upon activation of the first container instance by the firstuser, wherein the first container instance is added to a first inventoryof virtual items, wherein the first inventory is associated with thefirst user; modify the first virtual container identified by the firstcontainer identifier such that the modified first virtual container isassociated with a second virtual item set and is identified by the firstcontainer identifier, wherein the second virtual item set is differentthan the first virtual item set, and wherein container instances of themodified first virtual container will provide item instances of virtualitems in the second virtual item set upon activation of the containerinstances; effectuate a second provision of a second container instanceof the modified first virtual container to the first user, wherein thesecond container instance is added to the first inventory of the firstuser; receive, from the first user, a first activation command toactivate the first container instance of the first virtual container andeffectuate, responsive to the first activation command, activation ofthe first container instance such that the item instances of the virtualitems in the first virtual item set are provided to the first inventoryof the first user and such that the first inventory of the first userincludes the item instances of the virtual items in the first virtualitem set and the second container instance; and receive, from the firstuser, a second activation command to activate the second containerinstance of the modified first virtual container and effectuate,responsive to the second activation command, activation of the secondcontainer instance such that the item instances of the virtual items inthe second virtual item set are provided to the first inventory of thefirst user and such that the first inventory of the first user includesat least the item instances of the virtual items in the second virtualitem set.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the provision of the firstcontainer instance of the first virtual container is effectuatedresponsive to exchange by the first user of consideration.
 3. The systemof claim 1, wherein the virtual items of the first virtual item setinclude a first virtual item and a second virtual item, and the firstvirtual item set includes a first amount of item instances of the firstvirtual item and a second amount of item instances of the second virtualitem, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured bymachine-readable instructions to associate the first virtual containerwith the first virtual item set by preloading individual ones of thecontainer instances of the first virtual container with one or more iteminstances of the virtual items of the first virtual item set such that(i) a total amount of item instances of the first virtual item that isobtainable by the users via activation of the container instances of thefirst virtual container that are obtained is the first amount, and (ii)a total amount of item instances of the second virtual item that isobtainable by the users via activation of the container instances of thefirst virtual container that are obtained is the second amount.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the virtual items of the second virtual itemset includes the first virtual item and the second virtual item, and thesecond virtual item set includes a third amount of item instances of thefirst virtual item and a fourth amount of item instances of the secondvirtual item, wherein the third amount is different than the firstamount or the fourth amount is different than the second amount, andwherein the one or more processors are further configured bymachine-readable instructions to associate the modified first virtualcontainer with the second virtual item set by preloading individual onesof the container instances of the modified first virtual container withone or more item instances of the virtual items of the second virtualitem set such that (i) a total amount of item instances of the firstvirtual item that is obtainable by the users via activation of thecontainer instances of the modified first virtual container is the thirdamount, and (ii) a total amount of item instances of the second virtualitem that is obtainable by the users via activation of the containerinstances of the modified first virtual container is the fourth amount.5. The system of claim 3, wherein the virtual items of the secondvirtual item set includes a third virtual item, wherein item instancesof the third virtual item are not obtainable by the users via activationof the container instances of the first virtual container, wherein thesecond virtual item set includes a third amount of item instances of thethird virtual item, and wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured by machine-readable instructions to associate the modifiedfirst virtual container with the second virtual item set by preloadingindividual ones of the container instances of the modified first virtualcontainer with one or more item instances of the virtual items of thesecond virtual item set such that a total amount of item instances ofthe third virtual item that is obtainable by the users via activation ofthe container instances of the modified first virtual container is thethird amount.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual items of thefirst virtual item set include a first virtual item and a second virtualitem, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured bymachine-readable instructions to associate the first virtual containerwith the first virtual item set by associating the first virtualcontainer with (i) a first probability that a container instance of thefirst virtual container will provide one or more item instances of thefirst virtual item upon activation, and (ii) a second probability that acontainer instance of the first virtual container will provide one ormore item instances of the second virtual item upon activation suchthat, responsive to activation of one of the container instances of thefirst virtual container, a user is provided with one or more iteminstances of the virtual items of the first virtual item set inaccordance with the first probability and the second probability.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the virtual items of the second virtual itemset includes the first virtual item and the second virtual item, whereinthe one or more processors are further configured by machine-readableinstructions to associate the modified first virtual container with thesecond virtual item set by associating the modified first virtualcontainer with (i) a third probability that a container instance of themodified first virtual container will provide one or more item instancesof the first virtual item upon activation, and (ii) a fourth probabilitythat a container instance of the modified first virtual container willprovide one or more item instances of the second virtual item uponactivation such that, responsive to activation of one of the containerinstances of the modified first virtual container, a user is providedwith one or more item instances of the virtual items of the secondvirtual item set in accordance with the third probability and the fourthprobability, and wherein the third probability is different than thefirst probability or the fourth probability is different than the secondprobability.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the virtual items of thesecond virtual item set includes a third virtual item, wherein iteminstances of the third virtual item are not obtainable by the users viaactivation of the container instances of the first virtual container,and wherein the one or more processors are further configured bymachine-readable instructions to associate the modified first virtualcontainer with the second virtual item set by associating the modifiedfirst virtual container with a third probability that a containerinstance of the modified first virtual container will provide one ormore item instances of the third virtual item upon activation such that,responsive to activation of one of the container instances of themodified first virtual container, a user is provided with one or moreitem instances of the virtual items of the second virtual item set inaccordance with the third probability.
 9. The system of claim 1, whereinthe one or more processors are further configured by machine-readableinstructions to associate the virtual containers with real-world brandsor in-space brands of the game such that the first virtual container andthe modified first virtual container are associated with a firstreal-world brand or a first in-space brand, and wherein the real-worldbrands include the first real-world brand, and the in-space brandsinclude the first in-space brand.
 10. A computer-implemented method ofmodifying virtual containers within a game, the method being implementedon a computer system that includes one or more physical processors, themethod comprising: executing a game instance of the game, and tofacilitate presentation of views of the game to users, wherein the usersinclude a first user; effectuating provision of a first containerinstance of a first virtual container in the game to the first user, thefirst virtual container being identified by a first container identifierand associated with a first virtual item set, wherein the firstcontainer instance of the first virtual container will provide iteminstances of virtual items in the first virtual item set to the firstuser upon activation of the first container instance by the first user,wherein the first container instance is added to a first inventory ofvirtual items, wherein the first inventory is associated with the firstuser; modifying the first virtual container identified by the firstcontainer identifier such that the modified first virtual container isassociated with a second virtual item set and is identified by the firstcontainer identifier, wherein the second virtual item set is differentthan the first virtual item set, and wherein container instances of themodified first virtual container will provide item instances of virtualitems in the second virtual item set upon activation of the containerinstances; effectuating a second provision of a second containerinstance of the modified first virtual container to the first user,wherein the second container instance is added to the first inventory ofthe first user; receiving, from the first user, a first activationcommand to activate the first container instance of the first virtualcontainer and effectuate, responsive to the first activation command,activation of the first container instance such that the item instancesof the virtual items in the first virtual item set are provided to thefirst inventory of the first user and such that the first inventory ofthe first user includes the item instances of the virtual items in thefirst virtual item set and the second container instance; and receiving,from the first user, a second activation command to activate the secondcontainer instance of the modified first virtual container andeffectuate, responsive to the second activation command, activation ofthe second container instance such that the item instances of thevirtual items in the second virtual item set are provided to the firstinventory of the first user and such that the first inventory of thefirst user includes at least the item instances of the virtual items inthe second virtual item set.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein theprovision of the first container instance of the first virtual containeris effectuated responsive to exchange by the first user ofconsideration.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the virtual items ofthe first virtual item set include a first virtual item and a secondvirtual item, and the first virtual item set includes a first amount ofitem instances of the first virtual item and a second amount of iteminstances of the second virtual item, the method further comprisingassociating the first virtual container with the first virtual item setby preloading individual ones of the container instances of the firstvirtual container with one or more item instances of the virtual itemsof the first virtual item set such that (i) a total amount of iteminstances of the first virtual item that is obtainable by the users viaactivation of the container instances of the first virtual containerthat are obtained is the first amount, and (ii) a total amount of iteminstances of the second virtual item that is obtainable by the users viaactivation of the container instances of the first virtual containerthat are obtained is the second amount.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the virtual items of the second virtual item set includes thefirst virtual item and the second virtual item, and the second virtualitem set includes a third amount of item instances of the first virtualitem and a fourth amount of item instances of the second virtual item,and wherein the third amount is different than the first amount or thefourth amount is different than the second amount, the method furthercomprising: associating the modified first virtual container with thesecond virtual item set by preloading individual ones of the containerinstances of the modified first virtual container with one or more iteminstances of the virtual items of the second virtual item set such that(i) a total amount of item instances of the first virtual item that isobtainable by the users via activation of the container instances of themodified first virtual container is the third amount, and (ii) a totalamount of item instances of the second virtual item that is obtainableby the users via activation of the container instances of the modifiedfirst virtual container is the fourth amount.
 14. The method of claim12, wherein the virtual items of the second virtual item set includes athird virtual item, wherein item instances of the third virtual item arenot obtainable by the users via activation of the container instances ofthe first virtual container, and wherein the second virtual item setincludes a third amount of item instances of the third virtual item, themethod further comprising: associating the modified first virtualcontainer with the second virtual item set by preloading individual onesof the container instances of the modified first virtual container withone or more item instances of the virtual items of the second virtualitem set such that a total amount of item instances of the third virtualitem that is obtainable by the users via activation of the containerinstances of the modified first virtual container is the third amount.15. The method of claim 10, wherein the virtual items of the firstvirtual item set include a first virtual item and a second virtual item,the method further comprising: associating the first virtual containerwith the first virtual item set by associating the first virtualcontainer with (i) a first probability that a container instance of thefirst virtual container will provide one or more item instances of thefirst virtual item upon activation, and (ii) a second probability that acontainer instance of the first virtual container will provide one ormore item instances of the second virtual item upon activation suchthat, responsive to activation of one of the container instances of thefirst virtual container, a user is provided with one or more iteminstances of the virtual items of the first virtual item set inaccordance with the first probability and the second probability. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the virtual items of the second virtualitem set includes the first virtual item and the second virtual item,the method further comprising: associating the modified first virtualcontainer with the second virtual item set by associating the modifiedfirst virtual container with (i) a third probability that a containerinstance of the modified first virtual container will provide one ormore item instances of the first virtual item upon activation, and (ii)a fourth probability that a container instance of the modified firstvirtual container will provide one or more item instances of the secondvirtual item upon activation such that, responsive to activation of oneof the container instances of the modified first virtual container, auser is provided with one or more item instances of the virtual items ofthe second virtual item set in accordance with the third probability andthe fourth probability, wherein the third probability is different thanthe first probability or the fourth probability is different than thesecond probability.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the virtualitems of the second virtual item set includes a third virtual item, andwherein item instances of the third virtual item are not obtainable bythe users via activation of the container instances of the first virtualcontainer, the method further comprising: associating the modified firstvirtual container with the second virtual item set by associating themodified first virtual container with a third probability that acontainer instance of the modified first virtual container will provideone or more item instances of the third virtual item upon activationsuch that, responsive to activation of one of the container instances ofthe modified first virtual container, a user is provided with one ormore item instances of the virtual items of the second virtual item setin accordance with the third probability.
 18. The method of claim 10,further comprising: associating the virtual containers with real-worldbrands or in-space brands of the game such that the first virtualcontainer and the modified first virtual container are associated with afirst real-world brand or a first in-space brand, wherein the real-worldbrands include the first real-world brand, and the in-space brandsinclude the first in-space brand.